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Inside Life: 50yr old Soldier rapes GrandMa, 70
By Adekunle Badmus
A 70-year-old woman was allegedly raped by Khayalethu Mkhumathela (50),
a member of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) last month.
Residents from the granny’s area protested outside the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court in support of the elderly woman who was raped in the area.
The residents from Siyahlala informal settlement in Philippi protested with the the victim’s family who were in court for the first time.
State prosecutor, Craig Esterhuyse submitted a petition signed by 150 residents asking for bail to be denied.
The State was opposing bail and Esterhuyse said:
“The victim is an elderly woman, there has been an outcry in court from the community protesting against his bail outside
and they have assaulted him before and might do it again.”
Meanwhile, Defence attorney Botho Molefe said his client is a breadwinner who has been with SANDF for 24 years.
Molefe argued further that the suspect has no previous convictions and no warrants.
He prayed the court to give him bail as he is the father of two who rely on him for their upbringing
and that if bail is denied he will lose his job and won’t be able to take his children to school.
Magistrate Goolam Bawa said he needed time to make a decision.
The magistrate said the matter is postponed until 4 August for bail judgement and the accused will remain in custody.
Outside court, the victim’s brother Zilindile Kuku said wants the suspect to be denied bail because he should know better.
The court previously heard the woman and the accused were drinking when the alleged rape happened.
He allegedly pushed the victim into her bedroom, took off her panties and raped her.
